Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, “Cherry” is the intense tale derived from Nico Walker’s novel of the same name. Tom Holland and Ciara Bravo star as a couple whose life begins to revolve around drugs after PTSD takes hold.
“Cherry” follows the story of a young man named Cherry (Tom Holland) who decides to join the army after learning his girlfriend Emily (Ciara Bravo) is leaving Cleveland to study in Canada. Cherry is thrown into the horrors of war as an army medic, and all seems fine until the loss of friend and fellow soldier Jimenez, which shakes Cherry to his core. After returning to Cleveland, he begins to suffer from devastating PTSD, leading him down a path of drug abuse in an attempt to numb his pain, dragging Emily down with him. Their addiction results in the couple owing ‘Pills and Coke’ (Jack Reynor), their dealer, large sums of money, forcing Cherry to turn to a life of crime to feed their addiction.
Holland gives the performance of his career, guiding viewers through 140 minutes with an informing voiceover that lets them know what he’s thinking. Viewers who are fans of Holland will notice just how much he’s put into this film, both physically and emotionally. The difference between Cherry at the start and end of the movie is staggering. Holland and Bravo have incredible chemistry together. They look so connected to each other, conveying a flawless dynamic. Bravo gives a superb performance opposite Holland, and before Emily spirals into drugs, she shows how addiction doesn’t just affect the addict, but it affects everyone around them. The supporting cast, consisting of Jack Reynor (“Midsommar“), Jeffrey Wahlberg (“Dora and The Lost City of Gold”) and Forrest Goodluck (“The Revenant”) all give brilliant performances.
Tom and Ciara do an amazing job that shows once you’re hooked on drugs, nothing else matters except where your next fix is coming from—proven by being unable to feed their dog because they believe their need for the drugs is greater than their dog’s need for food.
Something “Cherry” does well is it shows the physical and mental effects of addiction. Hollywood doesn’t always like to go into the more intense side of this, but the Russo Brothers aren’t afraid to cover all bases. For example, when you take Ecstasy, the user would feel euphoric, open, and would have heightened sensations—these are all brilliantly conveyed through a mixture of editing, directing, and of course acting. After viewers have seen “Cherry,” they should definitely take a moment to let what they’ve just watched sink in. With it split into six different chapters, it feels like you’ve just watched six short films that all follow the same disenfranchised man through some important periods of his life.
“Cherry” explores addiction, PTSD, and the effects of the same on suffers’ loved ones (photo Apple TV+, 2021)
The filmmaking throughout “Cherry” is exquisite. The set designers emphasise that the film is from Cherry’s perspective by including details like ‘Shitty Bank’ and ‘Dr Whomever’ instead of real people and places. The hair and make-up department do an outstanding job showing how addiction affects you physically, with watery eyes, bruising/scabbing of the skin, and numerous other symptoms. Considering the directors’ last film was “Avengers: Endgame,” viewers could definitely say that this is a step down for the Russo Brothers, but only in the sense that it didn’t cost $356 million to produce. “Cherry” isn’t just a brotherly affair for the Russos, with the script beautifully written by their sister Angela Russo-Ostot and Jessica Goldberg. The editing throughout does a great job of showing what Cherry is feeling at certain points in time—whether it’s when he’s high, in the middle of a war zone, or suffering from PTSD. The score, courtesy of Henry Jackman, is sensational. Each piece of music flows effortlessly with the film’s overall ambience.
Newton Thomas Sigel provides “Cherry” with absolutely breathtaking cinematography. His artistic style compliments the unique cinematic techniques the Russo Brothers use in a simplistic, yet entrancing way. The film has definitely taken influences from Sigel’s previous work on films like “The Hurt Locker” and ‘Three Kings’.
This is one of Apple’s more intense original films; exploring themes like PTSD and addiction, it gives viewers an insight into an invisible problem happening right on our doorstep. It’s one of the most important films at this moment in time, with it being revealed in a 12-month timeframe, ending in May 2020, that 81,000 people have died as a result of a drug overdose or drug-related issue in the US alone—the highest number ever recorded. “Cherry” is a crucial film as it brings awareness to this incredibly noxious problem. As well as seeing Cherry’s struggles, we see the devastating effects it has on the people around him and the lengths an addict will go to for cash.
In conclusion, “Cherry” is an intense dive into the life of writer Nico Walker. If you’re a viewer who sensitive, this might not be the film for you. It’s graphic, violent, and emotionally heavy—a complete 180 degrees from Holland’s previous filmography, especially as Spider-Man. But if you are a fan of rough and gritty films, this is definitely the one for you.
*”Cherry” is due out for cinematic release on March 12, 2021.
